Frank, at least his mortal remains, are back at home now, resting where they belong. Also, a casting of one of his feet. It is comforting to me to have these things close.
Of course his spirit has never left my side. Our loyalty to each other, and our love for each other has remained constant through this ordeal and will be lasting.
His is in my thoughts often throughout each day, and in my heart constantly.

One of my best friends told me just after Frank died that he believes that "Frank is still there, you just can't see him".

Today, when I spoke to someone about Frank's death I mentioned that I questioned the "master plan", a system that allowed that these beautiful creatures would not live as long as we do. They said they felt the same way, until someone told them that our pets are really "angels", sent here for a time to watch over us and care for us, then to return to their place with the other angels, once their mission is completed.
Thank you Frank, for teaching me about unconditional love and for taking good care of me. Be well.

I once heard them described as "Angels on loan." How true that is I truly believe that their spirit is with us always though. A love and bond that strong cannot just die.

Take care,
Cheryl x

Very true, our Angels for all time. Here on Earth and for all Eternity. xx

Hi, Mike, I'm just being able to catch up on posts, and am glad to know that your precious Frank's ashes are back home with you. As other wonderful members have shared, so I wish to echo their comforting counsel to you. The love bond we share with our beloved companions is eternal, for love is eternal - - it is not bound by the physical laws of time and space. Your Frank's sweet Living Spirit is forever with you now wherever you go and whatever you do just as he always has been during his earthly journey with you.

Mike, this grief journey is one of "adjustment" to living the rest of our earthly journey without the physical presence of our beloved companions. Our beloved companions are indeed angels to share with us - - for a time - - the most important gifts that we can ever know during our earthly journey - - the precious gifts of unconditional love and pure devotion. Hold fast to your precious memories of Frank, for he is always a heartbeat near to you - - for he is always and forever a part of you, Mike, and nothing can ever change this - - not even the painful adjustment of temporary physical separation.

Mike, thank you so much for sharing with us how you are doing. Please know you are in my thoughts and prayers, and look forward to knowing how things are going with you.

Peace and blessings,
moon_beam

Yesterday I released my sweet kitten's ashes into the ocean. As I walked down the beach I saw many others, people out with friends and family, some walking their dogs and others jogging.

One group gave me a little smile and made me think of you and your Frank. Two joggers were running along with their dog. But who was in the lead, dashing out madly in front, such a happy face, what a great smile-------a tiny little Dachshund! No short legs keeping this little one lagging behind, no small body stopped this frisky beauty, there went someone in the thrall of life, just loving the opportunity to be out and about and charging ahead to make sure of not missing a thing!

Jan

I was very touched by your words about Frank and the grief you're experiencing over his dying. What a sweet little guy he was. I especially loved the picture of you protectively holding him in your arms and him reaching up to lick your face. All the best to you in this painful time.

Allow me to share the words of Isla Paschal Richardson, sent to me to help me through my grief over Frank, and let it help others who read it. It will bring an outpouring of tears but may help you honor your pet even more than I know you already do and remind you how much you meant to them.
"Grieve not, nor speak of me with tears, but laugh and talk of me as if I were beside you. I loved you so......'twas Heaven here with you.

'Twas Heaven having Frank in my life.

Hi, Mike, truer words are seldom spoken - - a part of heaven is indeed here on earth with our beloved companions. Than you so o o much for sharing this with us.

Peace and blessings,
moon_beam

Though now the good remembrances are beginning to supercede the pain of the loss, every Sunday at the same time in the evening, the day and time Frank departed, my thoughts are brought back to that terrible sense of loss of a wonderful, trusted friend. Driving each day, alone now, without his weight on my shoulders, reminds me of the great companion he was for so many years, though not enough years. And the music playing on the radio or ipod will occasionally hit a song whose lyrics remind me of Frank, in some manner, and tears return. I guess this will go on for some time, but even as the painful parts may ease, I will not forget, nor do I want to forget, by best friend ever.

Hi, Mike, of course you will never forget your precious Frank. How ever earth can we ever forget the precious life of our beloved companions? Not even the dimming of our minds with age will diminish the glow of the eternal love that burns warmly in our hearts and memories - - I promise you, Mike.

Hold fast to the precious memories you have of your Frank through your physical earthly journey together, and remember that his sweet Living Spirit is forever with you now, even though you cannot feel the weight of his physical body draped across your neck and shoulders.

I hope the upcoming holiday will be a peaceful one for you, Mike.

Peace and blessings,
moon_beam

It is just now 4 weeks since Frank departed. I continue to feel the great loss, made even greater by recalling the joy and comfort he brought to my life for 15 1/2 years. I miss the companionship as I can't help but recall our many "adventures" together. His absence is felt often, his love is felt always, and my love for him remains a big part of my life. He was, and is a special gift that I was so fortunate to come upon. I remain comforted that I gave him a good life and was there for him whenever he was in need. And he was there for me whenever I needed him. My fond memory of him is with me now and forever. God bless him.

There's no doubt that you gave Frank the best life possible and for that you should be proud. My wife and I had our annual post-Thanksgiving leftover feast with our friends who have a Dachshund (Chester) and I thought about your Frank and how much you adored him. You will always continue to enjoy those fond memories of Frank, there is no doubt about that.

Hi, Mike, the one month anniversaries are among the hardest because it's the beginning of adjusting to the irreversible "reality" that our beloved companions are truly with the angels. And we ask ourselves, "how can this be, it was just yesterday when . . . " The adjustment to not having the sweet physical presence of our beloved companions is incredibly difficult, to put it mildly.

But we never will let go of our beloved companions ever, and your precious Frank is forever with you in your heart and memories. And perhaps there will be times, even years down the road, when you can say to yourself, "Hi, Frank, thanks for coming and visiting with me - - I felt you cuddle up to me."

Mike, please know you are in my thoughts and prayers, and please let us know how you're doing.

Peace and blessings,
moon_beam

It is now almost 6 weeks, and daily Frank's presence is felt and his touch and feel are missed. I still receive condolensces from people who just learn of his passing. Patients of mine from some years back when Frank befriended them.
The times alone are the most difficult and yet they are the times I can devote "fully" to his memory, the good things and times we shared and the many things his being my friend allowed me to appreciate more. It was so easy to love him. And I always felt he loved me, and loved me no matter what. What a gift!
Life will never be the same without Frank, but I was so lucky to have met up with that guy. I will never forget him.

7 weeks since Frank died and I still miss his company when I drive alone. He was someone to "communicate" with, touch, and feel. I miss his weight on my shoulders as he loved to ride part of the ride that way.
But I do recall all the road trips he accompanied me on. I remember the rest stops along the way, when we got to hike a bit, and we each got to eat something that we had picked up along the way. Or, we ate in the bed of the pickup at some stop along the highway. I really miss those trips with Frank and it gets difficult for me on just any drive without him when I am alone.
My best friend is gone but never forgotten. He gave me a better life for being there.

This is a wonderful summary for us all. We are all better for the time we were able to spend with our pets. I hope you can continue to heal from the loss of Frank.

Hi, Mike, I know what you mean about missing Frank's company during your travels. When I bought the van in 2003 to replace a very aging and seriously unreliable 17.5 year old Taurus station wagon, I took out the middle seats and put a nice mattress and comforter in for Oslo's riding comfort. I got him a ramp to help make it easier for him to get in and out of the van, too. I still have the mattress and comforter in the car, and the ramp is in the garage. It helps me to feel Oslo's sweet Living Spirit still with me when I go to work and do errands, and I still talk to him as I'm driving down the road.

Mike, hold onto your cherished memories of your precious Frank. Seven weeks can feel like an eternity on one hand, and on the other it is filled with disbelief still that not having Frank's precious physical body snuggled with you is real. His sweet Living Spirit is real, Mike, and I know he is still with you wherever you go and whatever you do sharing everything with you just as he always has.

I hope the coming days will be peaceful for you, Mike, and please know you are in my thoughts and prayers.

Peace and blessings,
moon_beam

I'm not able to type clearly at the moment, and I promise to return and type something as beautiful as your initial post about Frank, but I needed to tell you that your words are perfect and I am overwhelmed by your honesty and openness.

Franks sounds like an awesome mate, please ask him to take care of my Sassy girl, she hated being alone and like you and Frank we were always together, I am inconsolable at the thought of her being alone.

thank you for your beautiful words and great action shots of your mate.

It is, today, 9 weeks since Frank's death. Adjustment is slow and sporadic, but there is some comfort in the believe his soul is at peace. Spiritually, we are as together as we ever were, and will always be.....
To have had such a friend is a gift that cannot be matched. Frank gave me unconditional love, and allowed me to give unconditional love back; something I had not ever experienced before. We were meant to be buddies for life; and beyond. There is a joy in that. But I miss his presence so much.